178 



.1 .srr J>Y OF FARM AMMALH 



mation. Curbs arc due to strains, and, while an unsound- 

 ness, as commonly seen, are not of a serious nature. 



Bog spavin is an inflammation of the synovial sac, located 

 in the front and inner side of the hock. If pressed, it may 

 appear on the outside and rear part of the hock. Accord- 

 ing to Dr. F. B. Hadley,* while occurring in horses of all 

 ages, it is most common in "loose-jointed" draft colts, and 

 rarely results in lameness. Sometimes these swellings dis- 

 appear without treatment, 

 although this is rarely the 

 case with old horses. 



Thoroughpin is a sweUing 

 in the rear part of the hock 

 at its thinnest point. Here, 

 under ordinary conditions, 

 the hock is curved to form 

 graceful outlines with a pro- 

 nounced depression. If 

 thoroughpin occurs, a swell- 

 ing will be noticeable on each 

 side of the hock at this point. 

 Bog spavins, thoroughpins, 

 or a puffed condition about 

 the hocks, are seen most fre- 

 quently on large, heavy 

 horses that have what are 

 called thick, meaty hocks. 

 Horse dealers are inclined 

 to refer to these as little puffs that will disappear with work, 

 and so minimize their importance. It is true that heavy 

 horses that stand in the stable, frequently swell in the lower 

 half of the legs, a condition that exercise removes, but bogs 

 and thoroughpins are distinct unsoundnesses that exercise 

 will not drive away, and that injure the sale value of the 

 horse, especially if the buyer is a dealer. 



*Tho Horse in Hcallh and Disease. 1915, p. 213 



Figure 37. — The hock from one side, 

 showing a bog spavin in front and 

 a curb behind. Reproduced from 

 "The Diseases of the Horse," U. S. 

 Dept. of Agriculture. 



